For nearly five decades, Professor George Cunningham shaped generations of students and strengthened the institution through his scholarship, mentorship, and service. The longtime Africana Studies professor, beloved educator, colleague, and friend, is being remembered following his passing on July 11.
Cunningham joined the faculty in 1978 and became a cornerstone of the Africana Studies Department, where he inspired generations of students through his teaching, scholarship, and commitment to exploring the richness and complexity of Black life. A former chair of the department, he was widely respected for his intellectual rigor, generosity, and dedication to student success.
Beyond the classroom, Cunningham played a vital role in the life of the college. He served with distinction on numerous committees throughout his tenure, including most recently on the college-wide Committee on Promotion and Tenure. Colleagues remember him as a trusted advisor whose thoughtful guidance and steady leadership strengthened the institution.
Cunningham was also a foundational member of Brooklyn College’s Black Faculty and Staff Association (BFS), where he worked tirelessly to advance representation, foster community engagement, and support Black faculty, staff, and students. His longstanding contributions included serving as BFS vice chair in 1988 and editing and contributing to DRUM, the organization’s first newsletter.
In recognition of his extraordinary leadership and service, BFS honored Cunningham with its Renaissance Award for Leadership and Excellence in fall 2023.
Cunningham, born in Washington, DC and raised in Baltimore, was a passionate lover of literature and history and relished meaningful conversations and challenging questions that illuminated the depth and diversity of the Black experience.
His legacy endures through the countless students, colleagues, and community members whose lives he touched.
